Krzesanica (2122 m a.s.l.) is the highest peak of the Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks) massif and one of the finest panoramic summits in the Western Tatra Mountains. Hikers have been making the journey here from Zakopane since the 19th century, drawn by views that are still described as among the most spectacular in the Western Tatras. If you want a summit that rewards effort with a truly sweeping vista, Krzesanica delivers.

The summit itself is an almost flat, stony platform about 100 metres long — an open stage with a 360-degree view. To the north you can spot the Beskid range with Babia Góra; below, the Miętusia Valley drops away steeply. To the west lies the Kościeliska Valley, to the south the Slovak Tichá Valley with Krivan behind it, and to the east the eye travels all the way to Świnica, Rysy and Gerlach. The northern face — sheer and chiselled, the origin of the name itself — drops some 200 metres into the Mułowy cirque, while the southern slopes ease off into gentle grassy hillsides. In winter the mountain takes on a harsher, more dramatic character; the first recorded winter ascent was made in 1908.

• Kościeliska Valley (car park at the valley entrance) — red trail along the Czerwone Wierchy ridge via Ciemniak; the Ciemniak–Kopa Kondracka section (which includes Krzesanica) takes about 1 h 05 min; difficulty: moderate to demanding

• The Polish-Slovak border runs directly across the summit — stay on the marked trail and do not cross the border outside designated points.
• At 2110 m, the entrance to Szczelina w Krzesanicy II cave is the highest-situated cave in the Western Tatras; it is not open to visitors.
• The area is within Tatra National Park — leaving marked trails is prohibited.

The rocky ledges of Krzesanica shelter several plant species found nowhere else in Poland — including the Tatra poppy, glacier gentianella and woolly alyssum. Every step here is a walk through a rare open-air botanical garden.